Monday, May 23, 2011

Scenic City Trail Marathon = super tough

The scenic trail marathon (just outside of Chattanooga Tn) was my 4th marathon since March, and my 3rd trail race. I love running on the trail. It is definitely a different beast then road racing, but probably more rewarding then a road race..... at least this one was. Take a look at the elevation. I ran that loop twice. Ouch is right.

This is Coy and I before the race. The race was delayed 30 min, due to runners still showing up. This irritated me because why should us on-timers be punished just because they couldn't get their crap together and get to the start by 8am. It's not like it was a 6am start. I guess this may be due to how laid back trail runners are.



Coy's husband was on the trail at about mile 8 and snapped a few pics of me. I look like a weird-o.... I think I was talking. Ya, that's it. ;)

This is at about mile 11. We are running along the bottom of the dam. Picture... courtesy of Luis Martinez.. thanks dude.This was just one of 4 blisters I got. Ouch.


I realize that I claimed to have had one of the hardest runs of my life back when I ran the Country Music marathon.... but that was a cake walk compared to this course. The terrain was dirt, sand, rocks, boulders, roots, and gravel. I tripped at mile 3ish and skinned up both knees. A war wound I like to call it. The terrain was very comparable to the Land Between the Lakes trail marathon I ran back in March, but Scenic City is much hillier. Their website downplayed how tough a course it really is.


By the end of the race, the temps were up to *87. I had some pretty rough heat exhaustion and I was sick the rest of the day. I didn't go into this race with a goal time.... but by mile 15, my only goal was to finish and not be dead or last. I was neither of those things and I did finish. Isn't that all that matters?


So what did you do the day the world was suppose to end?

12 comments:

Michelle said...

Incredible!
Blisters are signs of warriors and from the sounds of that race you hit it!

Active Headbands said...

Your awesome way to stick it out and finish. Love ya!

Jill@Run for the Hills said...

I just found your blog and am really proud of you for your trail marathons! I know Scenic City is a tough course and it was a hot one, too. Way to go!

Sarah said...

I am new to your blog also!

Looks like a great run!!

Coy Martinez said...

Man o man! A day to remember forever! Glad you were there! When I finished I thinking of you! I mean guts girl!

Vanessa @ Gourmet Runner said...

Amazing job! It was an incredibly tough course, and I'm amazed that when I was finished, you were gearing up for a second loop! So much fun though, such a great atmosphere.

Jamie said...

Looks and sounds hardcore! Congrats on another ough marathon finish!

Marlene said...

Sounds like one grueling day out there - congrats!!

Laura said...

Congrats...that is seriously hardcore. I golfed and forgot the world was supposed to end. :)

Cory Reese said...

Mercy - that sounds so hard, and fun, and really, really hard. Way to go!!!

Felice Devine said...

Congratulations! Hope your war wounds are healing up -- and your blisters, too!

Julia said...

haha! smallest world ever!!! now i am just jealous that you and Coy know each other in person! I can't wait to join the club and meet you all for real!! :) Good job on the trail race!! It looks like an AWESOME experience!